Quick advice needed - butterfly has hatched!

[Laurie]

My first butterfly. I'm so excited. He's beautiful. He hatched during the night and is hanging from his chrysalis. His stomach is a normal size, and there's red drippings on the bottom of the cage. I'm going to be gone all day and am just wondering if he's okay until I get home. I'm afraid if I try and stick some flowers in there, I may accidentally knock him off the top of the cage. Will he be okay until I get home this evening and release him then? He may have been hanging there all night, for all I know. He's not flapping his wings yet. Also, we're expecting a storm. I know this is probably a ridiculous question, but is it okay to release him while it's raining or storming?
Thanks,
Laurie

[Farfalla]

Hi Laurie!
Congrats on your new butterfly! They do not need any nectar the first day. So no worries. The drippings you mentioned are normal waste fluids which are expelled after emergence. Good thinking not to disturb it at this time.
Your butterfly should be ready to go when you get home.

[Farfalla]

OOOPS..SORRY! I neglected to read your last Q in my haste to answer you.
Butterflies can not fly in a storm. It will need at least a few hours of clear weather to find cover. I'd keep it indoors untill the storm passes.
If the storm persists you can feed it watermellon.

[Laurie]

Great, thanks! Is watermellon preferable to cutting some flowers for her? Or should I do both?
Laurie

[Farfalla]

Flowers are always best.Especially from a Butterfly Bush.
The monarchs that I have had to keep indoors have really enjoyed watermellon and also gatorade.( I soak a sponge in the gatorade.)
It's always nice to have choices.
Hopefully your butterfly can be set free into a sunny garden soon!

[Jewel]

Ooo! Nice to know I can use watermelon or Gatorade if I'm in a bind.